Reviews

Stand-up For Satire

'I am going to reinstate your faith in censorship,' Frankie Boyle tells the audience at the Index On Censorship charity gig, foreshadowing the barrage of appalling-taste gags that provoke winces and laughs in equal measure.

And he should know about shutting down free speech, given that he's at the centre of angry protests for his Belfast show to be banned next week because of jokes he's previously made at the expense of the disabled.

At London's Union Chapel he delivers the anticipated outrageous gags – mocking the indefatigable evil of Jimmy Saville or suggesting alternatives to treatment for cancer sufferers – but he's also keen to explain himself. Jokes are a way to bring up ideas beyond the well-defined 'tramlines' in which most of polite society thinks, he argues.

It's not the only serious moment. He seems slightly out-of-sorts from fairly early on, revealing that he wasn't quite sure what he wanted to say given that he'd been so wound up by the awful dehumanising rhetoric surrounding the Calais migrants. Though 'dehumanising' is probably the word Boyle's many critics would use to describe some of his jokes. Complicated stuff this, isn't it…

Still Boyle has the temperature of the audience, winning applause breaks for sincere comments such as this, or his disgust at David Cameron's hypocrisy in vowing defence of free speech in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo murders, while refusing a visa to Chinese artist – and regime critic – Ai Weiwei. (A decision now reversed this afternoon).

And those jokes, however brutal, are so devastatingly effective you laugh despite your morals being challenged, or perhaps because of it.

With material still in progress Boyle did not close the night, but was the penultimate comic – a decision that surprised headliner Andrew Maxwell as much as anyone. Though the Irishman's impassioned, mischievous brand of social commentary hit the spot precisely, and maintained the energy at the end of a long but entertaining night… as benefit gigs are wot to be.

Host Al Murray kept the mood buoyant, too – helped by answers to the 'what do you do?' questions that seem too good to be true. Not the usual procession of IT experts and administrators, tonight the comedy gods gave him Greek removal man, a posh museum worker and a dentist (topical) to play with, among others. And play he did.

Opening act Shappi Khorsandi was bang on message with tales about her father Hadi, exiled from Iran for his satire. She even tracked down the death warrant the Ayatollah signed. In defiance of the humourless, he remains an inviolate prankster even in his eighth decade, as Khorsandi Jr described wonderfully – alongside stories of her own feckless life, joking about being a neglectful mother unable to hold down a relationship.

Grainne Maguire comes from a different place (and not just Ireland); she's a childless thirtysomething and society heaps a whole lot of different crap on women in that category, which she addresses deftly. And although her acute take on the tyranny of clubbing as a way of meeting people was a little verbose, the blunt ending of the rant gets a hearty laugh. Kudos too for finding a new Monica Lewinsky joke after all this time, and for an astute take on Labour's leadership woes.

Like Maguire, Doc Brown isn't afraid to slow the pace down to set a mood that's undercut with a joke. And despite his protestations that he's not cool, he has the charm and charisma to keep the audience rapt during the down beats. The rapping that made his name made only a brief appearance as he discussed how he might get away with being gangsta only in the Cotswolds – including surely the first use of the word 'doily' in a hip-hop context. Instead he used his vocal talents for a pervy cod Italian accent – and silly voices are never not funny.

Brown also spoke about being a dad, making parenting the biggest theme of the night – far more than censorship – and it was a train that Kerry Godliman was happy to join too. As well as exchanges on Mumsnet or rows with her offspring in the pasta aisles, her well-crafted observational comedy ranged from intense passive-aggressive female friendships to the ubiquity of Buddha. There's astute thinking behind her relatable 'we've all been there' vignettes, too, guaranteeing success on the night.

• Click here for photos from the gig and more about Index On Censorship..

Comments

Older Comments

Nazreen - 18/04/2020

I saw her in Birmingham performing in front of an Asian/back audience and she just seemed uncomfortable. She was part of an all-female Asian stand up night but seemed to be culturally devoid. She talks about Iran and her Iranian roots like someone who has ever only known Hampstead. It could be funny, if she played up the differences but she just isn't. I think it was a bit of a misbooking, she had no idea about the audience and seemed to grin her way uncomfortably throught her act, alienating her still further. Perhaps her act, so obviously grown on the London club circuit, should stay there.

Mysterykat - 14/10/2012

Brilliant I would definitely go see her purely based on the school uniform pic. Go girl power/female empowerment/ironic photo shoot that really puts all us blokes in our places. In the end all we're left with is some piccys of shappi in a faux school uniform and a feeling that we've been put right about our terrible misogynistic ways. Hopefully her next comedy tour will be about that terrible time she was hounded by the press for all those topless beach pics that were taken by the paparazzi.

Tony Mercedes. - 31/08/2011

Another woman that thinks she is funny. Suffers from delusions of averageness.

Mark Doran - 05/07/2011

After enjoying "Shappi Talk" on Radio Four I saw her at Glastonbury but was disappointed at her use of foul language in front of a family audience. And her "joke" about enjoying being sexually-abused by a rugby team was embarrassingly unfunny.

Bramley - 12/01/2011

Funny but politically naive.

James McMann - 27/10/2010

I've only heard her radio show, Shappi Talk. I'm sure she's a really nice person, but how she has made a career for herself in comedy. Her standup is utterly pedestrian, lazy and derivative.

marriya zaman - 11/05/2010

I think Shappi is wicked and had me in stiches. Lmao.

Nigel Lord - 27/10/2009

A woman whose presence on the airwaves is entirely disproportionate to her talent as a comedian. This is clearly someone who ticks all the right boxes as far as radio & TV producers are concerned, but leaves the rest of us struggling to see what the appeal is beyond the engaging personality and pleasant smile. Her recent series on Radio 4 revealed the 'depth' of her talents. Take away the racism material and there's virtually nothing left. And it's at that point you find yourself slightly irritated by the central theme of her act (...that 'we' are all racist to a greater or lesser extent) and start to consider the likely fate of a female comedian in a short skirt in the country her parents were forced to leave.

Donna Scott - 31/07/2009

Well, I think Shappi is my cup of tea, even if the reviewers below don't. Her humour tends to the sweet side and she has a charming, confident delivery.

Brian Suda - 24/04/2009

Stacey Rostram - 17/04/2009

I cannot believe how she was ever considered to appear on Live At The Apollo. I saw her live a couple of weeks ago and considering how rich her background is in culture, all she could talk and make jokes about was how her family aren't "normal". Isn't that obvious in a Christian state? She talks about them being "hopeless at texting", a piece of pedestrian material by all newcomers that she's disguised and tried to fit her mould. Not clever and didn't really work to my mind. Although, she did have some neat (unexpected) gags thrown in for good measure, but others i felt were verging on the boundaries of transferred racism: 'I wanted to know what the weather in India was like, so i called my bank.' I'm not sure a white middle-class comic would have left the stage unharmed with a line like that in his or her act. Overall, I find that she just masks pedestrian material to jump on the bandwagon of the cultural comedians.

Gordon Jackson - 26/09/2008

Material was a bit light, which is forgivable if you've got some charisma. Unfortunately Shappi doesn't, and it was just a bit uncomfortable watching her. Granted the room wasn't great, with people a bit shy to sit near the front so that must be a challenge for comedians. Rambled a bit much with nothing to say, actually said "I've run out of jokes", despite "10 years in stand-up"? Either needs to prepare more, or do something else. Unimpressive.

Jo Phelan - 14/07/2008

Took a while to warm up before she looked comfortable on stage. Whilst it wasn't hilarious material, it was entertaining. I'm not sure that I'd pay to see her own show, but she is well worth seeing as part of a multiple line-up.

Michael Monkhouse - 16/01/2008

When your life's as fascinating as this, you could surely do more than a shy titter and a giggle about how members of your family are Pretty Silly Really. I just couldn't find much to admire here.

John Fernando - 29/10/2007

Clearly not as good as she thinks she is. Flat, weak material and her personality isn't engaging enough to compensate. Later, I actually chuckled over her act - remembering how bad it was.

Maneesha Doig - 17/07/2007

Saw Shappi at the Queen's Theatre in Hornchurch last night. She was fantastic. I laughed non-stop along with the entire audience. She is an absolute gem, charming and creative. Just a tad nervous, I'd say, but then she was trying out new material. Would definitely attend her show again.

Sam Clark - 09/05/2007

Truly weak humour. Tpped onto an area of great potential but lacks the talent or natural wit to fulfil that potential, instead reverts to a basic crude manner - and not the good type

Alain English - 26/03/2007

Seemingly nervous, vulnerable persona wrong-foots the audience into thinking she's a pushover but quickly hits with some top-notch gags directed at her Iranian upbringing. Very good!

a fan - 05/02/2007

Shappi was on BBC Radio 4's News Quiz at the start of February 2007, and did really well. I'd not heard of her before, but she deserves wider exposure. Linda Smith is sadly no longer with us, but I have a feeling Shappi may grow to become another in the line of bright, intelligent comediennes who have got something to say, - and make us laugh when they say it!

Kevin Jackson - 16/01/2007

OK, not totally enamoured. Saw her in Harroagte a couple of months back (Nov 06?) She was amusing, kept the giggles coming, but not outstanding. With a little work she will be much better. Seems almost TOO nervous??

Sam Ling - 18/12/2006

Saw her at the Southampton Laughter Lounge as a compere funny throughout, would definitely try to see her again.

jason hill - 18/12/2006

Got the audience going really well at the Storm club with some great material.Sharp and incisive without being overly cruel! A pleasingly warm-hearted performance:would definitely see her again.

Kerri - 18/10/2006

I saw Shappi perform in Stirling this month and was thoroughly entertained. The only thing that bothered me was that as the MC for the night, her contribution was a little limited. I'd like to see her perform in her own right.

- 17/05/2006

Worst prepared standup I've ever seen.

Charlie Pottins - 08/05/2006

Saw her first time at Hampstead Comedy Club last night and she was brilliant. Original and witty. Event was benefit so was very mixed audience, and very full house. Drawing on life, and playing herself, Shappi warmed the place up and really had us chortling, also marvelling at deft way she touched some very daring subjects. Keeps up pace too, no gaps, no slow bits, defintely get your money's worth and worth going out of your way for.

MikeP - 01/02/2006

Poor. Seems unaware of how to deliver a joke, often trailing often or adding unnecessary disclaimers to her work ("So I shot him! ...I didn't actually shoot him though.") Her delivery is fast paced, with poor articulation and her material mediocre.

Stuart Snowden - 22/01/2006

Great act. Very funny. Some great observations and she built well into her themes. Would definitely see her again.

Suzie - 04/12/2005

Fab... Well worth seeing

Adam - 26/11/2005

Unfunny to the point of annoying. She was the compere and just did not get the crowd going at all. She destroyed any of her jokes which were good. Unfortunately for her it is about "the way you tell 'em". Her delivery was very poor.

MirAhmd Fakhraie - 04/12/2004

As a daughter of the most famous Iranian satirist writer, Shappi's life started in exile, hiding from terrorist group sent to kill her dad. She has grown up living under the shadow of revelation, war, terror, fanatic Islamism, exile, prejudice and so on... Humour is exaggerated tragedy and she has done a phenomenal job to prove that.

David - 24/11/2004

Just wonderful, such a natural entertainer with a huge stack of one liners and stories. Her material is very varied now (unlike a couple of years ago when I first saw her).

Brian McIntyre - 20/09/2004

Great performer, really gets the attention of the audience with just natural sparkle. Her material was a little limited I thought, there's only so much you can relate to when a fair chunk of it revolves around being Iranian when she's the only Iranian in the room. Recovered well from a few fluffs and worth a night out to be entertained by her.

Catherine - 09/11/2003

Saw her last night at the Bull in Barnet. She found that we weren't laughing a lot, but she should know that most audiences feel very uncomfortable when the artist starts making them participate in the show. I enjoyed the show very much, but spent the whole time worried she might ask me something , which somehow spoilt the pleasure.

Ben Rowan - 27/10/2003

Great in all respects. Her routine was varied, making jokes at other races, women and a large range of other material. Not one unfunny joke, had me laughing all the way through her act. Great.

Simon Jenkins - 21/10/2003

Made me laugh from start to finish. A great set. Look forward to seeing her again soon.

Alan Moore - 24/07/2003

Shappi is a natural performer. When is she going to get a chanceto do her stuff on TV?

Holly Syzlack - 19/03/2003

Absolutely great. I could watch her all night; and it's a really warm set too. Very funny and really talented.

Rainer - 18/04/2002

Just saw her on telly here in Holland. She is great. Real funny, daring and talented.